A fabulous pair of bands graced the new Deluxe stage at Old National Centre Wednesday night. The Low Anthem’s kitchen sink Americana and Canadian Dallas Green’s — aka City and Colour — haunting singer/songwriter vibe perfectly complemented the shiny new space.

The Low Anthem hit the stage first for a 45 minute set of resonant, vintage-instrument layered folk. In support of most recent album, Smart Flesh, the band expertly wove their unusual blend of throwback sounds into a wave of noise that was organic and unique. Boeing 737 best captured the band in full force.

After a short 30 minute break, City and Colour (all five band members) came out. Being a long-time Tragically Hip fan, it was Green’s duet with Hip front man Gord Downie on Sleeping Sickness from the last record, Bring Me Your Love, that first caught my attention. Newest album, Little Hell, is even better.

The band jumped into it with Hell opener, We Found Each Other In the Dark, and didn’t let up for 80 minutes. Green’s voice sounded even better live than recorded. Factor in his Joe Pernice-like stage presence and the audience was rapt from the start. The first six songs were with the full band. Standouts were a dark, sweeping As Much as I Ever Could and a snarling version of Weightless.

Green performed the next three songs alone, including a tremendous version of Body in a Box and a sing-a-long What Makes a Man?

The band then came back out to close out the set. The Girl — tender to start, rockabilly to close — as expected, was amazing, as were newer songs Fragile Bird and Hell’s title track.

Green returned for the encore, Coming Home, which he’ll be playing for the remainder of his days.

I’ve enjoyed City and Colour’s music the past few years, but this was a perfect example of how seeing a band live can elevate your opinion of their catalog. The warm music from both bands was the perfect concoction for a chilly February night.

Were you there? What did you think of the show?